Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

Labor 2022 Kicks Into High Gear in Wisconsin!

The Labor 2022 campaign, driven by working people for working people, is rocking in Wisconsin. At worksite visits, in our neighborhoods and on the phones, union volunteers are making a lasting impact.

With so many workers struggling right now, we can’t afford to go back to fantasy “trickle-down” economics that rewards corporate greed over hard work. Together, we’ve shown throughout our campaign that union members are ready to step up to the plate and deliver a fairer economy.

There’s too much on the line to sit this one out. Join our member to member voter mobilization and education program at wisaflcio.org/mobilize. Union members gathered around the state on Saturday for a beautiful fall day of voter contacts.

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin AFL-CIO Stephanie Bloomingdale kicked off a pre-canvass program at the Milwaukee Area Labor Council commenting on all the negative attack ads that are flooding airwaves in Wisconsin.

“If you watch TV in Wisconsin, you’ve all seen the really vicious attacks ads,” said Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Bloomingdale. “Today’s canvass, one-on-one conversations, union member to union member conversations is how we make a difference, how we cut through the noise, and how we move people around our issues despite all the ads. I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had on the doors, when I focus on the fact that Ron Johnson doesn’t care about manufacturing jobs in his own district or jobs in Wisconsin for that matter, that conversation moves people and people change their heart and mind. Let’s keep it up, let’s finish strong, onward to November 8 and beyond.”

“It’s incredible to be with the labor movement in Wisconsin today,” said AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride. “All across our country, working people are gathering at union halls and places like this every day until Election Day, because this matters. Everything we care about as workers is on the ballot this Election Day. We are within what I like to call the margin of effort and every door knocked, every conversation had, every phone call made will make a different on November 8.”

 

Union members paired up to hit the neighborhoods to knock doors to have vital conversations about the candidates and the issues this November. Working people are supporting Tony Evers for Governor, Mandela Barnes for US Senate and a host of pro-worker candidates up and down the ballot around the state.

Click here for a list of endorsed candidates.

Click here to sign up to knock doors, make phone calls and help us get out the vote.

Early voting continues until possibly November 8. Visit myvote.wi.gov to check your registration, lookup your polling place and more.

#AFTVotes Bus Rolls Into Wisconsin

Union members in Milwaukee kicked off canvassing on October 22 with a stop from the #AFTVotes bus tour with AFT - American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and Wisconsin AFT leadership. Lieutenant Governor and US Senate candidate Mandela Barnes addressed the crowd. Union members then hit the doors to talk with fellow union members about our pro-worker, union-approved candidates on the ballot November 8.

Rally speakers included Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale, AFT President Randi Weingarten, AFT Local 212 President Lisa Conley, President of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, AFT Connie Smith, and US Senate candidate Mandela Barnes.

 

Breakfast and solidarity started a day of union member to union member conversations on doorsteps across Wisconsin.  Union members are mobilizing ahead of the November 8 election to have vital one-on-one conversations about the issues and the candidates who will create a workers first economy. 

 

'Meet the Parents’ Phone Bank with U.S. Senate Candidate’s Mother and Father, Both Union Members

On Tuesday, the Wisconsin AFL-CIO hosted a fun “Meet the Parents” phone bank event to call out the vote for pro-worker candidates like Mandela Barnes for Senate and Tony Evers for Governor. Online and live at the WI AFL-CIO dialer, union members hit the phones to call fellow union voters to get out the vote for pro-worker candidates in the Badger State.

Volunteers on Zoom and in person got to meet the parents of Mandela Barnes -- Jesse Barnes (UAW) and La Juan Barnes (MTEA/NEA), both proud Wisconsin union members.

Joining virtually were AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, National Education Association (NEA) President Becky Pringle, Wisconsin Education Association Council-NEA (WEAC-NEA) President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen and UAW Region 4 Director Ron McInroy. Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale (AFT) served as the master of ceremonies.

Union members are fired up and ready to go for November 8. Make sure to make a plan to vote, double check your polling location and return any outstanding absentee ballots. In-person early voting continues around the state until possibly November 6. Times and locations vary by location so check with your local municipal clerk on where and when to early vote near you. So much is at stake this Election:  global inflation, economic security, the ability to live a decent life, healthcare, Social Security, public education, democracy, our freedoms and so many other issues that working families care about.

Make your voice heard and be sure to help us get out the vote at wisaflcio.org/mobilize.  

 

Re-elect Governor Tony Evers

Governor Evers has stood with and fought for the working people of Wisconsin since day one of his administration. He is working to bring good union jobs with fair wages to Wisconsin. Wisconsin union members are ready to re-elect Governor Evers on Tuesday, November 8.

Click here to help us get out the vote for Tony Evers for Governor and all our union-approved candidates.

As Governor, Tony Evers has:

• Supported unions and a worker’s right to collectively bargain.
• Ended tax breaks for companies who ship jobs out of state.
• Made historic investments in infrastructure, our schools, transportation networks and clean water initiatives.
• Boosted apprenticeship participation to 15,000 workers, a level not seen in two decades.
• Protected safe licensing standards for workers.
• Combated worker misclassification and payroll fraud.
• Stopped the rollback of child labor law in Wisconsin.
• Put forth state budgets that invest in Wisconsin, boost job growth, and lay the foundation for a better future for all.

Help us turn out the union vote by making phone calls, knocking on doors, writing vote reminder postcards and more.

• Sign up today at wisaflcio.org/mobilize to join our Labor 2022 voter mobilization program.
• Click here for an October schedule of upcoming Labor 2022 activities.
• Visit our website for a list of union-endorsed candidates on the ballot November 8.

Wisconsin cannot go back to the days of anti-worker attacks and legislation. Vote Evers for Governor on November 8 and help us continue the fight for social and economic justice for all in Wisconsin with a pro-worker Governor.

 

Wisconsin AFL-CIO, Retirees Warn Wisconsin Voters of Ron Johnson’s Plan to Cut Social Security and Medicare Benefits for Seniors

New digital communications compare and contrast U.S. Senate candidates on retirement security records.

 

This week the AFL-CIO launched a digital campaign highlighting candidates’ positions on retirement security. A survey conducted by the AFL-CIO this summer revealed that retirement security is a top issue for 97 percent of union members. The digital campaign in Wisconsin includes a report card that compares Ron Johnson’s positions on retirement security against those of his opponent Mandela Barnes. The report card makes a clear contrast between the candidates. 

“As we begin voting in this very important election, all Wisconsinites should be aware that their retirement benefits are on the ballot,” said Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale. “In Mandela Barnes, we have an ally who is committed to protecting and expanding our Social Security and Medicare benefits, and controlling prescription drug prices,” Bloomingdale said. “And in Ron Johnson, we have something different, something dangerous,” she said. “Johnson clearly intends to cut the very benefits that Wisconsinites have earned and worked our whole lives for,” Bloomingdale said. “We all deserve dignity and security in our retirement, and Ron Johnson wants to rob us of just that,” she concluded.

“Ron Johnson has never been on the side of older people. He is chomping at the bit to gut the Social Security and Medicare benefits we’ve worked a lifetime to earn,” said Gary Mitchell, President of the Alliance for Retired Americans. “Johnson has called Social Security a 'Ponzi Scheme' and voted to raise the retirement age to 70. Wisconsin seniors literally cannot afford to send him back to Washington,” Mitchell said.

In addition to the digital campaign, the Wisconsin AFL-CIO has a massive voter contact campaign underway that is communicating these same candidate contrasts. Union volunteers and activists are talking to union members across the state at their workplaces, at their doors and via phone on the stakes in the election for current and future retirees. 

 

Early Vote

In-person early voting is underway in Wisconsin and continues until possibly November 6. Times and locations for early voting vary depending on where in Wisconsin you live. Visit myvote.wi.gov to find out where and when to early vote in your area.

If you have a mail-in absentee ballot be sure to return it as soon as possible.

Make a plan to vote today. Then, join our Labor 2022 voter mobilization program. We are contacting union households every day between now and Election Day on November 8 to talk about the importance of the upcoming Midterm Elections.

Click here and see below for an upcoming schedule of Labor 2022 volunteer opportunities.

We’re supporting union-approved candidates who will fight for a strong economy with good wages and union rights for all.

Sign up to contact union households and turn out the vote for pro-worker candidates this November at wisaflcio.org/mobilize.

 

Upcoming Labor 2022 Events

Reminder: Meet the Parents Phone Bank and Rally

RSVP today for the virtual rally and phone bank with AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, National Education Association President Becky Pringle, Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale, Director of UAW Region 4 Ron McInroy and Jesse (UAW member) and La Juan (MTEA member) Barnes – the proud union member parents of Lieutenant Governor and US Senate candidate Mandela Barnes!

WHEN:   Tuesday, October 25 at 5:00 pm central time

WHERE: Zoom! RSVP to get the link at wisaflcio.org/mobilize.

WHAT: Virtual phone bank and rally for union-endorsed candidates

Click here for rally flyer.

Don’t miss this great event that will energize voters and union members as we head into the final days before Election Day, November 8.

We need working family champions like Senate candidate Mandela Barnes, Governor Tony Evers and all our union-approved candidates on the ballot. Come hear how our endorsed candidates will support working families and our union values while in office. Then, make some calls to union households as we get out the union vote.

RSVP at wisaflcio.org/mobilize.

In Solidarity,

Stephanie Bloomingdale, President

Meet the Parents: Virtual Rally and Phone Bank with AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Mandela Barnes’ parents

Join us for a virtual rally and phone bank with AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale, and Jesse and La Juan Barnes – the proud union member parents of Lieutenant Governor and US Senate candidate Mandela Barnes!

 

WHEN:   Tuesday, October 25 at 5:00 pm central time

WHERE:  Zoom! RSVP to get the link at wisaflcio.org/mobilize.  

WHAT:  Virtual phone bank and rally for union-endorsed candidates

 

Click here to download the rally flyer.

Our Labor 2022 voter education and mobilization program is calling union members on behalf of pro-worker candidates on the ballot November 8 who will fight for strong unions so all workers can have good jobs with fair wages, safe workplaces, and the ability to retire with dignity after a lifetime of work.

We are working to elect pro-worker champions like Tony Evers for Governor and Mandela Barnes for US Senate who will fight to protect and advance our Wisconsin middle class. At this special phone bank and virtual rally we will hear from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and the parents of Mandela Barnes who are both long-time union members with the United Auto Workers and the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association.

RSVP at wisaflcio.org/mobilize for forthcoming instructions on how to get on the call.

 

Online Voter Registration Deadline

Wednesday, October 19, is the deadline for Wisconsin voters to register to vote online or by mail.

You can continue to register to vote in-person at your municipal clerk’s office until November 4 or at your polling place on Election Day, November 8.

Check your voter registration and register to vote at myvote.wi.gov.

To register to vote online, you will need a valid, unexpired Wisconsin Driver License or Wisconsin State ID Card and be able to match the name, date of birth, and address on file with the Wisconsin DMV. If a match cannot be made with the Wisconsin DMV, you will still be able to register to vote by printing, signing and mailing your registration form along with proof of residence to your municipal clerk.

You can use the link on myvote.wi.gov to update your address with the Wisconsin DMV.

To register by mail: eligible Wisconsin voters who do not have a current, valid Wisconsin Driver License or Wisconsin State ID Card may complete the voter registration form and mail or deliver their form to their Municipal clerk along with a proof of residence document. Your form must be postmarked by Oct. 19 if returned by mail.

Registered voters can use this week’s deadline to organize your plan to vote. Request an absentee ballot today at myvote.wi.gov if you plan to vote by mail absentee. Double check your polling place, find an early vote location, and think through how you want to vote this Election cycle.

Working people are standing up and organizing like never before. We are organizing new unions, voting our values, and making our voices heard in our workplaces and in our democracy. View a list of endorsed candidates who stand with workers on the issues that matter most and will fight to protect retirement security, good wages and the freedom to organize a strong union. Volunteer with our Labor 2022 campaign here.

Unions build our middle class and working people are the engine that power our economy. Be sure your voice is heard on Tuesday, November 8 as we mobilize for pro-worker candidates up and down the ballot.

 

Labor Breakfast and Canvass this Saturday!

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The Wisconsin AFL-CIO Labor 2022 program is firing on all cylinders as we head into the final weeks before the November 8 Fall Election. Join us this Saturday, October 22 for a labor breakfast, canvass and phone bank at the Ironworkers Hall in Milwaukee.

Special guests include American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomindale, President of the American Federation of Teachers, Wisconsin Kim Kohlhaas and Lisa Conley, American Federation of Teachers Local 212 President.

 

   Labor 2022 Breakfast and Canvass

   Saturday, October 22

   Ironworkers Hall

   12034 W Alder Lane, Milwaukee, WI 53214

    8:30 am breakfast and solidarity

   10:00am - 2:00pm volunteer canvassing and phone banking

   Event Flyer

 

Working people are having vital conversations with fellow workers about the importance of voting in the fall election and electing candidates who will fight for our issues. We are supporting candidates like Governor Tony Evers and Mandela Barnes for Senate who will support working families by protecting retirement security, raising wages, protecting American manufacturing, advancing union rights and making sure our economy works for us all, not just the rich.

View a list of our union-approved Wisconsin AFL-CIO endorsed candidates here.

Sign up to knock doors, make phone calls, and get active with our Labor 2022 union member to union member voter mobilization and education campaign at wisaflcio.org/mobilize.

View a schedule of October Labor 2022 volunteer opportunities here.

Join us this Saturday and volunteer whenever you can to help get out the vote for working families on November 8. Canvass and phone bank opportunities are available around the state from now until Election Day. This election, our freedoms and values are on the line. Be a voter and help us mobilize workers in Wisconsin this fall and beyond for a workers-first economy that supports workers, our rights, our families and our communities.